Suitor by Design

Dressmaker's Daughters #2

by Christine Johnson

From Friends to Sweethearts Minnie Fox's goal is to find a beau who can help support her ailing father and his struggling dress shop. As a working man, her friend Peter Simmons simply doesn't fit the bill. Instead, Minnie's got eyes for Peter's childhood pal-a wealthy Chicagoan. So why can't she stop thinking about Peter? Peter wishes Minnie would see him as more than a friend. As a hardworking mechanic, Peter knows he'll never be able to dazzle Minnie with fancy suits and expensive cars. But maybe he can prove to her that what's in a man's heart is worth more than what's in his wallet. The Dressmaker's Daughters: Pursuing their dreams a stitch at a time

Genres: Historical Romance, Christian, Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical, Romance, Inspirational, Christian Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Christine Johnson grew up in small-town Michigan, where tales rise taller than old-growth forest. God blessed her with a love of story, which led to publication with Love Inspired Historical and Revell. When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to quilt and explore God’s majestic creation.

Reviews

[Bonnie Olive · Rating 4 out of 5]

In enjoying this series

I'm enjoying this series. Each daughter is so different. Each with their own strengths and personality. They trusted God for help

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

really fun love inspired read!! perfectly filled the historical romance itch i had this week with some added suspense :)

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good story set during Prohibition. The first book in the series was OK, but this one is better. Poor Minnie Fox, she's the starry-eyed youngest daughter in a family of dressmakers who barely make ends meet. Her father is desperately ill and they can't afford the treatment he needs, her older sisters are occupied with their own lives and interests, and Minnie can't get a man. Stuck in the dress shop or cleaning houses to help her family out, she dreams of better things - like Hollywood, a rich beau, and money to buy lovely things. Instead, only one boy is interested in her at all - Peter Simmons, an orphaned mechanic who can barely string two sentences together when she's around. Then a friend from Peter's past comes to town, older, with nice clothes and plenty of money that he's willing to share with Peter, and Minnie.

I loved reading about Minnie and Peter, their friends and family. Their story didn't seem at all cliched or trite, the characters were like real people, and I felt for them as they tried to find God's will in a complicated world. I enjoyed this book a lot and hope soon we can read about Jen. :)

[Pegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Love Inspired Historical includes a bit of suspense, making it a fun read all the way around.

Minnie Fox wants to marry a "swell," a guy with money and connections. Even though Peter Simmons loves her, he knows she'll never settle for a garage mechanic with no family of his own. When an old friend of Peter's shows up in town, will he be the answer to both of their dreams?

I enjoy Christine Johnson's characters. They are lively and interesting. Set in roughly the same era as the popular show Downton Abbey, the characters are caught between the old world and the modern. It makes for some interesting situations.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was lent to be by a friend for a good quick read. It was a good heartwarming story with the right amount of inspiring faith. Minnie had a rebellious streak but in her heart, her faith led her down the right path. Peter, with a unfortunate younger life made him do some unthinkable things. His finding in his faith made his decisions regarding Minnie and everyone in his life easy to see but hard to execute. Facing his past was difficult, but he had the courage to do it and was all the better for it.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in 1924 in Pearlman, Michigan. It is a heartwarming love story. Minnie the dressmakers daughter can't seem to see Peter Simmons for the wonderful guy he is. She wants to marry someone wealthy. Peter is in love with Minnie but she seems to want to be just friends. Will Minnie ever see Peter for the great guy he is or will she live in her dream world forever? Read the book to find out.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book via Goodread's first reads giveaway. Such a good warm read. It reinforces that having a little faith will help you find your way, even when the path isn't so well lined out and sometimes you have to make hard choices.

[Harlequin Books]

"This is an exciting story set in a turbulent time. The heroine is quite young, as her actions show, but she displays an ability to learn from her mistakes and be courageous" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Miniseries: The Dressmaker's Daughters

[Strawberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnson's writing seem to be consistent. If you like one, you'll like the other. If you find this story not so exciting, they don't get any better. Humble hero Peter tries to protect self-center Milly from danger she doesn't except. This was my favorite of the series.

[Judine Brey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that Minnie and Peter were friends before the events that led to their romance makes their story flow together well. The inclusion of the Al Capone bootlegging details make it intriguing as a historical novel.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the heroine took way too long to rethink her plan to marry rich. I didn't finish it, and I really liked the 20th century setting. Sigh.